Molly Picklum Misses Out on Bells Beach Trophy Again in Final Loss to Gabriela Bryan
The iconic Bells Beach trophy has continued to elude Molly Picklum, with Australia's world champion falling short in the final against Gabriela Bryan on Saturday. After a runner-up finish in 2023, which marked her best-ever result at the famed Victorian surf break, Picklum was desperate to ring the bell but was out-surfed by her Hawaiian rival in the title decider.
Bryan Dominates from the Start in World Surf League Showdown
Gabriela Bryan got off to a flying start, grabbing the initiative with an opening score of 7.83. Meanwhile, NSW Central Coast surfer Molly Picklum fell on her first wave and struggled to find her rhythm thereafter. The 23-year-old, who had eliminated reigning champion and fellow Australian Isabella Nichols with a tight victory in the semi-final, faced challenges with her wave choice at Winkipop.
World No.3 Bryan, on the other hand, went from strength to strength, building a commanding score of 14.83 from her two best waves, while Picklum could only tally 8.33. "I can't believe I get to ring the bell," a beaming Bryan said, extending her winning record over Picklum to 5-1. "It's an event I always wanted to win but I've never gotten better than a quarter-final, but man, I get to ring it."
Bryan Takes Rankings Lead and Looks Ahead to Margaret River
With this victory, Gabriela Bryan will take the yellow jersey as the rankings leader from Picklum and wear it at the next tour stop at Margaret River, where she triumphed last year. "I honestly love Western Australia and Margaret River, and back in yellow I'm excited," Bryan added. "I was in yellow there last year ... it's a really good start."
Men's Final Features All-Brazilian Clash
In the men's competition, the final is an all-Brazilian affair, with 2025 world champion Yago Dora taking on Miguel Pupo. Dora secured his spot in the final with a dramatic move in his semi-final against three-time world champion and compatriot Gabriel Medina. With only 40 seconds left, he took to the air, requiring 9.34 to take the lead, and was awarded a huge score of 9.50 for the rotation, sealing the victory.
